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Nosocomial Infection
Nosocomial Infection
Nosocomial infections are infections that develop while a person is receiving medical attention.
Examples include pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and gastrointestinal (GI) infections.
The person will not have this infection on admission but may acquire it in healthcare settings
such as hospitals, ambulances, and long-term care facilities.
Nosocomial infections have different symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and potential complications.
• pneumonia
• Gastrointestinal infections
Doctors also refer trusted Source to nosocomial infections as healthcare-associated infections (HAI)
and hospital-acquired infections.
They are infections that people acquire while receiving healthcare, after admission. The infection can
occur when a pathogen — an organism that can cause disease — spreads to a susceptible host.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, some of the many
invasive procedures and devices involved in modern healthcare can contribute to the spread of
infection. These techniques and devices include:
surgery
prosthetic implants
ventilators
catheters
Causes
The causes of nosocomial infections vary. They depend on the type or source of infection, the
pathogen that caused it, and whether the infection is viral, fungal, or bacterial.
Nosocomial infections affect 3.2%Trusted Source of all hospitalized patients in the United States.
Antibiotic and multidrug-resistant organisms have led to further complications and greater numbers
of these infections. Because of this, there has been a major effort to detect and control them with
infection prevention and control programs.
bacterial
fungal
viral
gastrointestinal
A central line, or a central venous catheter, is a tube or catheter to administer fluids or medication
or collect blood for specific medical tests. Doctors typically place it in a large vein in the:
chest
neck
groin
Doctors most oftenTrusted Source use central lines in intensive care units (ICUs). They access a
major vein close to the heart and can remain in place for weeks to months. This means they are
more likely to cause a serious infection than other types of intravenous catheters, such as IVs. A
CLABSI is a serious infection that can occur when pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, enter the
bloodstream through the catheter.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a CLABSI vary depending on the type of infection that has entered through the
catheter. Someone showing signs of infection requires immediate medical intervention. These
include:
o pain
o discomfort
o redness
o discharge
signs of inflammation
To diagnose CLABSI, a doctor will perform blood tests and check for signs of infection at the site of
the catheter insertion and inflammation beyond the insertion site.
To treat CLABSI, a doctor typicallyTrusted Source removes the catheter and administers antibiotics.
They may also prescribe other appropriate medications, such as antifungal medication, depending
on the type of infection. Healthcare professionals may also recommend topical or systemic
antimicrobials to treat the area where the catheter enters the body.
Potential complications
CLABSI is serious and can beTrusted Source fatal. The infection can cause severe sickness and
increase a person’s time in the hospital.
CLABSI may also lead to sepsis, an extreme response by the immune system to infection, which can
damage organs and may be life threatening. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
CAUTI is a UTI a person may acquire after a doctor inserts a urinary catheter. Pathogens can travel
along the catheter and enter the urinary tract. The bacterium Escherichia coli is the most
commonTrusted Source cause of CAUTI.
Symptoms
• blood in urine
A doctor will diagnose CAUTI by administering a urine test. To treat it, they will remove or change
the catheter and administer antibiotics.
Potential complications
sepsis
An SSI is an infection that occurs in the part of the body where the surgery took place. The infection
can be superficial and only affect the skin, or it can be more severe and affect:
organs
tissues
skin
Symptoms
fever
Potential complications
SSIs can lead to life threatening conditions, such as sepsis, as well as:Trusted Source
abscesses
VAP can occur when a person inhales contaminated material through a ventilator. Pathogens that
travel through the ventilator can cause pneumonia after 48 hoursTrusted Source of intubation. Of
people requiring manual ventilation, 5–15% develop VAP.
Symptoms
fever
difficulty breathing
chest X-rays
blood tests
biopsy
Potential complications
Complications of VAP include:
multi-organ failure
stress ulcers
sepsis
Bacterial
A person may acquire a bacterial infection during healthcare. These include:Trusted Source
Staphylococcus aureus:This bacterium, which people often call staph, is typically present
inside the nose and on the skin of about 30% of people. It does not usually cause harm, and
infections can appear as skin conditions.
o sore throat
o pneumonia
o UTIs
o soft tissue
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the type of bacteria and infection that affect a patient.
a rash
skin infection
symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat
symptoms of UTI, such as a burning sensation when urinating or needing to urinate more
often
A doctor typically diagnoses bacterial infections by examining a person’s physical symptoms and
blood tests.
Antibiotics are generally effective treatments against bacterial infections. A doctor may use different
types to treat different infections.
Potential complications
sepsis
pneumonia
endocarditis, a rare condition that involves inflammation of the heart’s lining, muscles, and
valves
Other infections
Fungal: Mold infections and candidiasis are common causes of nosocomial infections.
They most often lead to UTIs and bloodstream infections. Experts often associate them with:
o a contaminated environment
o immunosuppression
o unclean catheters
Viral: Viruses cause up to 5% of nosocomial infections. A person can acquire them from
respiratory, fecal, or hand-mouth routes. Viruses that may transfer through healthcare
settings include:
hepatitis
influenza
rotavirus
Gastrointestinal: Some bacteria can pass through the intestinal walls and cause infection in
susceptible people.
Symptoms
fever
chills
• rash
• headache
• muscle ache
• cough
• confusion
• diarrhea Diagnosis
A doctor will diagnose these infections by examining the physical symptoms and performing
laboratory tests, including blood tests, to reveal which pathogens affect the patient.
Treatment
Fungal: A doctor will treat a fungal infection with traditional treatments, such as antibiotics
and antifungal medications.
Viral: Antibiotics cannot treat viruses. In some cases, doctors can only treat symptoms, and
antiviral drugs are available to treat certain kinds of viruses.
Potential complications
Infection can lead to more severe infections and complications such as sepsis.
Risk factors
Some people are at higher risk than others of nosocomial infection. These risk factors include:
working in a hospital or healthcare facility, although people should follow hygiene best
practices to help avoid infections
catheter insertion
malnutrition
obesity
using tobacco
Doctors will inform people of the potential risk of developing infections when receiving care.
Medical professional workers will assess a person’s risk factors for developing specific infections and
provide measures to help minimize them.
Preventions
Healthcare workers and patients can help prevent nosocomial infection. Preventive
measures include:
personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as gloves and masks
antibiotic control policies to prevent overusing antibiotics, which can lead to resistance